Delhi police files case against Raj Thackeray for hate speech

New Delhi: The Delhi police has filed a case against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray after a court order yesterday. The court had asked the city police to lodge an FIR against Mr Thackeray for allegedly describing migrants from Bihar as "infiltrators" in Mumbai. At a speech on August 31, Mr Thackeray had threatened to force them out of Maharashtra.

The police has charged Mr Thackeray with promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race and place of birth, and statements conducing to public mischief.

The court's decision was in response to a private complaint that said Mr Thackeray's speech was provocative and anti-national and violates the constitutional right for citizens to live in any part of the country.

Meanwhile, Mr Thackeray has been summoned by the same court today in connection with a separate case. However, he is unlikely to appear and might seek exemption, say sources. This case dates back to 2008, when some people from Bihar had filed four complaints against him for his alleged hate speech against North Indians.  The case was shifted to the Supreme Court after the MNS chief said it was unsafe for him to go to a Bihar court.  The Supreme Court has asked Delhi's Tiz Hazari court to look into the matter.

Mr Thackeray's widely-criticised stand against migrant workers has been one of the cornerstones of his politics. He set up his own party in March, 2006 after a family feud with cousin Uddhav and uncle Bal Thackeray who together lead the Shiv Sena.

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(With Inputs from PTI)

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